Monitoring system and vehicle surrounding monitoring system

ABSTRACT

A parameter selection section selects one from a plurality of image synthesis parameters stored in a parameter storage section according to an output of a vehicle state detection section. An image synthesis section reads out camera images from frame memories according to the selected image synthesis parameter and generates a synthesized image showing a state of vehicle surroundings. A moving object detection section detects, in the thus generated synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a region where a moving object is present.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/267,829 filedNov. 10, 2008 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/326,922 filed Jan. 6, 2006, said application having matured into U.S.Pat. No. 7,512,251 issued Mar. 31, 2009, which is a continuation ofApplication PCT/JP2005/009771 filed on May 27, 2005. ThisNon-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) onPatent Application No. 2004-176812 filed in Japan on Jun. 15, 2004 andPatent Application No. 2005-005151 filed in Japan on Jan. 12, 2005, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to image recognition in detecting a movingobject in an image, and particularly relates to a technology forrealizing generation of a synthetic image according to a shooting stateand detection of a moving object in an image in combination.

In conventional technologies in surrounding monitoring systems, thereare techniques for detecting a moving object or an obstacle whichinvolve hindrance for driving from images of vehicle surroundings shotby a camera installed to a vehicle and techniques for displaying a stateof the vehicle surroundings as an image including the moving object orthe obstacle.

Referring to an example of the techniques of moving object detection formonitoring vehicle surroundings, there is a technique in which a movingobject approaching a vehicle is detected from images obtained byshooting vehicle surroundings with the use of optical flow (for example,Patent Documents 1 and 2). In Patent Document 1, for example, opticalflow is calculated form images obtained by a camera installed so as tolook rearward of a vehicle. Flow vectors having a magnitude equal to orlarger than a predetermined threshold value and having the samedirection as an approaching object are extracted. Then, the approachingobject is discriminated on the basis of the flow vectors.

Referring to an example of the techniques of displaying a state ofvehicle surroundings as an image, there is a technique of displaying amoving object detected from an input image shot by a camera, as asynthetic image. The synthetic image is generated and displayed as if itis shot from a position different from the camera position (for example,Patent Documents 3 to 5). In Patent Document 3, for example, with theuse of a system shown in FIG. 16( a), a road region and a non-roadregion in which an obstacle is present are separated from an input imageobtained by shooting vehicle surroundings as shown in FIG. 16( b). Theroad region is subjected to deformation processing to obtain an imageviewed from above while the non-road region is subjected toexpansion/contradiction processing to be in an appropriate size. Then,the obtained images are superimposed and displayed as a synthetic imageas shown in FIG. 16( c).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3011566B

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No.2004-56763A

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No.07-186833A

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No.06-333200A

Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Publication No.11-78692A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the following problems are involved in the above mentionedconventional techniques for detecting a moving object or an obstacle andfor displaying a state of vehicle surroundings.

Firstly, in the case where a moving object or the like is detected usinga camera image as an input, a detected moving object region iscalculated with reference to pixel coordinate values of an input imageas reference. For this reason, in order to display the detected movingobject region of a synthetic image different from the input image,conversion of the pixel coordinate values of the detected moving objectinto pixel coordinate values on the synthetic image is needed. Thisincreases calculation loads for coordinate conversion and the like.

These calculation loads may involve a comparatively insignificantproblem in a case of processing in which a calculation load for movingobject detection is large, but offers a severe problem particularly in acase of processing in which a calculation load is small such as movingobject detection utilizing intensity change, generation of a syntheticimage using a table, and the like.

Secondly, in the conventional technique for detecting a moving object orthe like, detection is performed for each input image. For this reason,in a case of detection of a moving object using images shot by multiplecameras, it is difficult to detect an object present in the vicinity ofa boundary of shooting ranges of the cameras and to detect an objectmoving across the shooting ranges of the multiple cameras.

In view of the above problems, the present invention has its object ofenabling, with a small calculation load, both generation of a syntheticimage showing a state of a monitoring region and detection of a movingobject in a monitoring system using camera images shot by a plurality ofcameras as inputs and enabling easy detection of a moving object rangingacross shooting ranges of a plurality of cameras.

The present invention provides a monitoring system to which cameraimages shot by a plurality of cameras are input, including: an imagesynthesis section for generating a synthetic image showing a state of amonitoring region by synthesizing camera images; and a moving objectdetection section for detecting, in the synthetic image, a moving objectregion estimated as a region where a moving object is present.

In the above invention, detection of the moving object region isperformed for a synthetic image showing a state of a monitoring regionwhich is synthesized from the camera images. Accordingly, the detectionresult is calculated with reference to pixel coordinate values of thesynthetic image as reference, eliminating the need for coordinateconversion and the like even for displaying the detection result tominimize a calculation load. Further, a moving object is detected onlyafter the camera images shot by the plurality of cameras are synthesizedto one synthetic image. This leads to easy detection of a moving objectranging across shooting ranges of a plurality of camera or an object inthe vicinity of a camera boundary.

Further, the monitoring system according to the present inventionpreferably includes: a parameter storage section for storing a pluralityof image synthesis parameters that express correspondence between cameraimages and a synthetic image and a plurality of detection parametersthat define specification of moving object detection; and a parameterselection section for selecting each one from the plurality of imagesynthesis parameters and the plurality of detection parameters which arestored in the parameter storage section, wherein the image synthesissection operates according to an image synthesis parameter selected bythe parameter selection section, and the moving object detection sectionoperates according to a detection parameter selected by the parameterselection section.

With the above constitution, synthetic images according to variousstates can be generated and moving object detection in various statescan be performed to the thus generated synthetic images.

According to the present invention, a monitoring system can be realizedwhich is capable of easily detecting a moving object across the shootingranges of multiple cameras with a small calculation load.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a vehiclesurrounding monitoring system according to each embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2( a) shows camera positions and a shooting state in eachembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2( b) and FIG. 2( c) showexamples of images shot by cameras indicated in FIG. 2( a).

FIG. 3 shows examples of image synthesis parameters in Embodiment 1 ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 shows examples of synthetic images of which compositions aredifferent from each other.

FIG. 5 shows one example of a parameter selection rule in Embodiment 1of the present invention.

FIG. 6( a) shows one example of region blocks in moving object detectionand FIG. 6( b) shows an example of a synthetic image for display inwhich a moving object region is shown.

FIG. 7 shows examples of synthetic images for display according to afirst operation example in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows examples of synthetic images for display according to asecond operation example in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows one example of a parameter selection rule in Embodiment 2of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows examples of synthetic images for display according to anoperation example in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 includes drawings for explaining one example of an imagesynthesis parameter in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 includes drawings for explaining another example of an imagesynthesis parameter in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 includes drawings showing examples of synthetic images fordisplay in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 includes drawings showing examples of synthetic images fordisplay in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a constitutional diagram in the case where a monitoringsystem of the present invention is constituted using a computer.

FIG. 16 includes drawings showing a constitution of a surroundingmonitoring system and examples of an image according to a conventionaltechnique.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first aspect of the present invention provides a monitoring system towhich camera images shot by a plurality of cameras are input, including:an image synthesis section for generating a synthetic image showing astate of a monitoring region by synthesizing the camera images; and amoving object detection section for detecting, in the synthetic image, amoving object region estimated as a region where a moving object ispresent.

A second aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the first aspect, further including: a parameter storage section forstoring a plurality of image synthesis parameters each expressingcorrespondence between camera images and a synthetic image and aplurality of detection parameters each defining specification of movingobject detection; and a parameter selection section for selecting eachone from the plurality of image synthesis parameters and the pluralityof detection parameters which are stored in the parameter storagesection, wherein the image synthesis section operates according to animage synthesis parameter selected by the parameter selection section,and the moving object detection section operates according to adetection parameter selected by the parameter selection section.

A third aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the second aspect, wherein the plurality of cameras are installed toa moving body, and the parameter selection section performs parameterselection according to a state of the moving body.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the third aspect, wherein the parameter selection section performsparameter selection taking account of a detection result by the movingobject detection section.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the fourth aspect, wherein the parameter selection section performsparameter selection taking account of a currently selected imagesynthesis parameter.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the fourth aspect, wherein when the moving object region is detectedby the moving object detection section, the parameter selection sectionmodifies the selected image synthesis parameter so that only one offields of camera images are referenced for a part corresponding to themoving object region and outputs it.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the sixth aspect, wherein the parameter selection section performsthe modification for a part corresponding to a region surrounding themoving object region in addition to the moving object region.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the third aspect, wherein the parameter selection section selects adetection parameter that defines stop of moving object detection whenthe moving body is moving.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the second aspect, wherein the parameter selection section selects,upon selection change in image synthesis parameter, a detectionparameter that defines stop of moving object detection for apredetermined period of time.

A tenth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the second aspect, wherein the parameter selection section halts,upon selection change in image synthesis parameter, change in imagesynthesis parameter for a predetermined period of time.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention provides the monitoringsystem of the first aspect, wherein the moving object detection sectioncalculates a statistic of pixel values in each small region into whichthe synthetic image is divided and specifies a small region of whichtime variation in statistic exceeds a predetermined value as the movingobject region.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoring systemof the eleventh aspect, wherein the plurality of image synthesisparameters include weights attached to pixel values of camera imagesused for image synthesis, and the image synthesis section performsweighting to each pixel value using the weights included in the imagesynthesis parameter and generates the synthetic image.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoringsystem of the twelfth aspect, wherein in at least one of the pluralityof image synthesis parameters, the weights attached to the pixel valuesare set relatively large in a region of a synthetic image wherenecessity of moving object detection is relatively high.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoringsystem of the twelfth aspect, wherein in at least one of the pluralityof image synthesis parameters, the weights attached to the pixel valuesare set so that time variation in statistic of pixel values when anidentical object moves becomes constant in a synthetic image.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoringsystem of the fourteenth aspect, wherein in at least one of theplurality of image synthesis parameters, the weights attached to thepixel values are set relatively small in a region of a synthetic imagewhere a subject of the same size is seen relatively large.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention provides the monitoringsystem of the second aspect, wherein at least one of the plurality ofimage synthesis parameters stored in the parameter storage section isbased on an assumption that a subject in camera images is present on aroad plane and is used for generating a synthetic image where the roadplane is shot from a virtual viewpoint.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention provides a vehiclesurrounding monitoring system for monitoring surroundings of a vehicleusing camera images shot by a plurality of cameras installed to thevehicle, including: a parameter storage section for storing a pluralityof image synthesis parameters each expressing correspondence betweencamera images to a synthetic image; a parameter selection section forselecting, according to a state of the vehicle, one from the pluralityof image synthesis parameters stored in the parameter storage section;an image synthesis section for generating a synthetic image showing asurrounding state of the vehicle by synthesizing the camera imagesaccording to an image synthesis parameter selected by the parameterselection section; and a moving object detection section for detecting,in the synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a regionwhere a moving object is present.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of a vehiclesurrounding monitoring system as a monitoring system according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101denotes cameras each for shooting a moving image and outputting an imagesignal, 102 denotes A/D converters each for digitalizing an imagesignal, and 103 denotes frame memories each for storing digitalizedimage data temporarily. The cameras 101 are installed to a vehicle so asto shoot surroundings of the vehicle as a moving body. The framememories 103 are capable of successively storing image data output fromthe A/D converters 102 while reading out arbitrary pixel data of apreceding stored image in accordance with a read request from an imagesynthesis section 104.

Reference numeral 104 denotes the image synthesis section forsynthesizing camera images read out from the frame memories 103 togenerate a synthetic image showing a state of a monitoring regionincluding vehicle surroundings, and 105 denotes a moving objectdetection section for detecting, in a synthetic image output from theimage synthesis section 104, a moving object region estimated as aregion where a moving object is present. The moving object detectionsection 105 superimposes, upon detection of a moving object region,graphics on a corresponding region of the synthetic image and outputs itas a synthetic image for display. Reference numeral 106 denotes a D/Aconverter for converting a synthetic image for display output from themoving object detection section 105 into an image signal, 107 denotes adisplay for displaying an image signal. The display 107 is installed ata place which a driver in the vehicle can observe.

Further, reference numeral 110 denotes a parameter storage section forstoring a plurality of image synthesis parameters and a plurality ofdetection parameters, and 109 denotes a parameter selection section forselecting one from the plural image synthesis parameters stored in theparameter storage section 110 and selects one from the plural detectionparameters. Herein, each image synthesis parameter is a parameter thatexpresses correspondence between camera images and a synthetic image andis used for image synthesis in the image synthesis section 104. On theother hand, each detection parameter is a parameter that definesspecification of moving object detection, such as a threshold value inmoving object detection and is used for moving object detection in themoving object detection section 105. Specifically, the image synthesissection 104 reads out camera images from the frame memories 103according to an image synthesis parameter selected by the parameterselection section 109 to perform image synthesis and performs operationfor moving object detection according to a detection parameter selectedby the parameter selection section 109.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a vehicle state detection section fordetecting a vehicle state, inputs, for example, any one of or aplurality of outputs from sensors such as a vehicle velocity sensor, asteering angle sensor, and the like which detect a vehicle velocity, amoving direction, or the like and states of switches operated by a user,such as an ignition key, a shift lever, a direction indicator, and thelike, and outputs it/them as a vehicle state to the parameter selectionsection 109. The parameter detection section 109 performs parameterselection according to a vehicle state output from the vehicle statedetection section 108. As will be described later, a detection result bythe moving object detection section 105 and/or a currently selectedimage synthesis parameter may be added in parameter selection.

Operation of the vehicle surrounding monitoring system as constituted asabove will be described with reference to FIG. 2 through to FIG. 8.

The cameras 101 shoot vehicle surroundings and output image signals, theA/D converters 102 digitalize the image signals and output them asimages, and the frame memories 103 store the digitalized imagestemporarily. Storage and update of images in the frame memories 103 aresuccessively performed in synchronization with the image signals outputfrom the cameras 101.

FIG. 2( a) shows camera positions and an example of a shooting state.Four cameras 1 to 4 are installed to a vehicle body so as to shootsurroundings of an own vehicle 1. The cameras 1 to 4 in FIG. 2corresponds to the plurality of cameras 101 in FIG. 1 and constitutionalelements other than the cameras 101 in FIG. 1 are installed within theown vehicle 1. The camera 1 and the camera 2 are installed so as toshoot the rear side of the vehicle over wide ranges. FIG. 2( b) and FIG.2( c) show examples of images shot by the camera 1 and the camera 2,respectively. As shown in FIG. 2( b), another vehicle 2 running on therear side of the own vehicle 1 is shot by the camera 1. The images asshown in FIG. 2( b) and FIG. 2( c) are digitalized and stored in theframe memories 103.

FIG. 3 shows examples of the image synthesis parameters stored in theparameter storage section 110. For generating a synthetic image of FIG.3( c) from input images of FIG. 3( a) and FIG. 3( b) (the same as FIG.2( b) and FIG. 2( c), respectively), the image synthesis parameter shownin FIG. 3( d) is used. The image synthesis parameter in FIG. 3( d) isexpressed in a two-dimensional array in one to one correspondence toeach pixel of a synthetic image. Each element in the two-dimensionalarray is composed of only a camera number of an input image, pixelcoordinates (an X coordinate and a Y coordinate in this case), and aweight for a corresponding pixel value. In the example shown in FIG. 3,information of “camera number: 1, coordinates: (Xi1, Yi1), and weight:1.0” is stored at coordinates (xo, yo) of an image synthesis parameter.This expresses provision of, to a pixel value at coordinates (xo, yo) ina synthetic image, a value obtained by multiplying the pixel value atthe coordinates (Xi1, Yi1) in an image of the camera 1 by 1.0. With theuse of such an image synthesis parameter, pixel correspondence between aplurality of camera images and a synthetic image can be described.Wherein, in the present invention, the weights in the image synthesisparameters are equal to each other, 1.0.

FIG. 4 shows examples of synthetic images generated from camera imagesin the shooting state shown in FIG. 2( a) according to image synthesisparameters. In FIG. 4, FIG. 4( a) is a synthetic image (composition A)in which whole surroundings of the own vehicle 1 are shown over a widerange, FIG. 4( b) is a synthetic image (composition B) showing the rearside of the own vehicle 1, FIG. 4( c) is a synthetic image (compositionC) showing the front side of the own vehicle 1, and FIG. 4( d) is asynthetic image (composition D) showing the vicinity of the rear side ofthe own vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 4, with the use of the imagesynthesis parameters different from each other, synthetic images ofwhich compositions are different from each other can be generated fromthe same camera images.

Further, in FIG. 4, with the use of a plurality of images shot atdifferent camera positions, each synthetic image is generated as if itwas shot from another viewpoint different from the camera positions. Theimage synthesis parameters for generating such synthetic images can beobtained by a following manner, for example. Namely, on the assumptionthat a road face is one plane and all subjects in camera images shot bythe plural cameras are present on the same plane, a correspondencebetween the camera images and a synthetic image is calculated with apositional relationship between the plural cameras and the road faceknown. This attains image synthesis parameters for generating syntheticimages as shown in FIG. 4.

A constitution and a calculation method of the image synthesisparameters and an image synthesizing method are disclosed in detail inInternational Publication No. 00/64175 and the like, for example, andtherefore, detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

FIG. 5 shows one example of a parameter selection rule in the parameterselection section 109. Herein, image synthesis parameters A, B, C, and Drespectively corresponding to the compositions A, B, C and D (FIG. 4( a)to FIG. 4( d)) are stored as image synthesis parameters in the parameterstorage section 110 in advance. Further, as the detection parameters,“operation” for executing moving object detection and “stop” forstopping the moving object detection are stored in the parameter storagesection 110 in advance.

Further, herein, the vehicle state detection section 108 outputs avehicle velocity and a shift lever state as a vehicle state.Accordingly, the parameter selection section 109 selects an imagesynthesis parameter and a detection parameter in accordance with therule in FIG. 5 according to a vehicle velocity and a shift lever state.For example, when the vehicle velocity is “stop” and the shift lever isin “P” (parking) state or “N” (neutral) state, “A” and “operation” areselected as the image synthesis parameter and the detection parameter,respectively.

The image synthesis section 104 inputs an image synthesis parameterselected by the parameter selection section 109 and reads outsequentially the camera images corresponding to elements of the imagesynthesis parameter from the frame memories 103 to generate a syntheticimage. This operation is executed every 1/30 second repeatedly so thatgenerated synthetic images are outputted sequentially. The moving objectdetection section 105 inputs a detection parameter selected by theparameter selection section 109 and inputs a synthetic image output fromthe image synthesis section 104 every 1/30 second when the detectionparameter is “operation” to perform detection of a moving object regionto the synthetic image.

The moving object detection section 105 performs the moving objectdetection based on time variation in statistic of pixel values. Herein,an average of intensities is employed as the statistic of pixel values.Then, a region of which time variation in average of intensities islarge is detected as a moving object region.

Specifically, the moving object detection section 105 divides asynthetic image into small regions, calculates and stores temporarily anaverage of intensities in each divided small region. Then, the averageof intensities in each small region is compared with an average ofintensities in a corresponding small region of a preceding ( 1/30 secondpreceding in this case) synthetic image. When a difference therebetweenis larger than a predetermined threshold value, the corresponding smallregion is judged as a moving object region. Subsequently, graphics aresuperimposed on a position of the moving object region of the syntheticimage and the thus superimposed image is output as a synthetic image fordisplay. The moving object detection section 105 executes this operationevery 1/30 second repeatedly.

FIG. 6( a) shows one example of region division in the moving objectdetection, wherein a synthetic image is divided into 48 blocks of smallregions, namely, eight blocks in the horizontal direction (thetransverse direction in the drawing) and six blocks in the perpendiculardirection (the vertical direction in the drawing). FIG. 6( b) shows anexample of a synthetic image for display, wherein graphics in the brokenline for surrounding a region is superimposed on a small region (lowerleft in the drawing) detected as a moving object region.

The synthetic image for display output from the moving object detectionsection 105 is converted into an image signal by the D/A converter 106and is displayed through the display 107.

First Operation Example

Suppose that the own vehicle 1 is in “stop” state and the shift lever isin “P” state in the state shown in FIG. 2( a). A this time, theparameter selection section 109 selects “A” as an image synthesisparameter and selects “operation” as a detection parameter. The imagesynthesis section 104 generates a synthetic image in the composition A(FIG. 4( a)) according to the image synthesis parameter A and the movingobject detection section 105 performs the moving object detectionaccording to the detection parameter.

In the case where the other vehicle 2 is moving herein, the intensityvaries in a region where the other vehicle 2 is present in the syntheticimage. Accordingly, the moving object detection section 105 detects asmall region of which time variation in average of intensities exceeds apredetermined threshold value as a moving object region and outputs asynthetic image for display as shown in FIG. 7( a). Further, as theother vehicle 2 moves forward, synthetic images for display as shown inFIG. 7( b) and FIG. 7( c) are output.

Second Operation Example

Suppose that a driver operates the shift lever to change the state from“P” state to “R” (reverse) state in a state where the synthetic imagefor display as shown in FIG. 8( a) is displayed. Accordingly, theparameter selection section 109 changes selection of the image synthesisparameter from “A” to “B” in accordance with the rule in FIG. 5.Whereby, the composition of a synthetic image generated by the imagesynthesis section 104 is changed from the composition A to thecomposition B. Further, the moving object detection section 105 performsthe moving object detection to the synthetic image in the composition B.At that time, synthetic images for display as shown in FIG. 8( b) andFIG. 8( c) are output as the other vehicle 2 moves forward.

In the above described vehicle surrounding monitoring system accordingto the present embodiment, the moving object detection is performed to asynthetic image, eliminating the need for processing such as coordinateconversion for the position of a detected small region and the like.Further, the detection is performed after a plurality of camera imagesare synthesized, eliminating the need for special processing in movingobject detection in the vicinity of a boundary between shooting rangesof the cameras as in FIG. 8( b) to attain easy moving object detection.

Moreover, in the synthetic images for display as shown in FIG. 7 or FIG.8, the state of vehicle surroundings can be grasped easily. Further, themoving object region is enhanced by the graphics, so that a driver caneasily grasp the presence of a moving object having high possibility ofcollection or the like, compared with a case of direct observation oforiginal camera images.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a synthetic image isgenerated from a plurality of camera images and the moving objectdetection is performed using the thus synthetic image. This eliminatesneed for complicated processing such as coordinate conversion of adetection result, integration of detection results in the camera images,and the like to reduce calculation loads and to attain easy detection ofa moving object ranging across a boundary of the shooting ranges of thecameras.

Especially, for the purpose of monitoring vehicle surroundings, an imageis desirable in which a viewable range surrounding the vehicle is seenas wide as possible and the vicinity of the vehicle is also seen. Forshooting such an image, it is required to install a plurality of camerasin different positions, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. When imagesshot by a plurality of cameras different in position from each other areused for generating one synthetic image in which the position of asubject is unknown, a synthetic image in which a subject is seen doubleor no subject is seen may be generated in general. While, for thepurpose of monitoring vehicle surroundings, normally, a moving object oran obstacle to be monitored by a user is present on a road face and israre to be present below the road plane or in the air. Accordingly, whena synthetic image is generated where the road plane is shot plane from avirtual viewpoint on the assumption that a subject in camera images arepresent on the road plane, at least a part of the subject which is incontact with the road face is not seen double and does not disappeareven if a plurality of camera images different in shooting position areused. Thus, in detection of a moving object in vehicle surroundingsusing such a synthetic image, neither double detection nor disappearanceof a subject occurs even if the subject ranges across a boundary betweenthe shooting ranges of the cameras.

It is noted that the parameters are selected in accordance with the rulein FIG. 5 with reference to a vehicle velocity and a shift lever stateas a vehicle state in the present embodiment but the rule for theparameter selection and the vehicle state used for the parameterselection are not limited to those indicated herein. For example, thevehicle state to be referenced for the parameter selection may be anyinformation only if it relates to the image synthesis parameters and thedetection parameters.

Embodiment 2

A vehicle surrounding monitoring system according to Embodiment 2 of thepresent invention is constituted as shown in FIG. 1 like Embodiment 1.Difference from Embodiment 1 lies in that while the parameter selectionis performed according to the vehicle state in Embodiment 1, theparameter selection is performed according to a detection result by themoving object detection section 105 and a currently selected imagesynthesis parameter in addition to the vehicle state. Eachconstitutional element other than the parameter selection section 109performs the same operation as that in Embodiment 1.

FIG. 9 shows one example of a parameter selection rule in the presentembodiment. In FIG. 9( a), an evaluation region in the words, a “stateof moving object detection in each evaluation region” means a regiondetermined for reflecting a result of moving object detection on theparameter selection. FIG. 9( b) shows one example of setting of theevaluation regions, wherein the 48 blocks of small regions described inEmbodiment 1 are grouped into four middle-seized regions (evaluationregions 1 to 4). Upon detection of a moving object region, the detectionresult is replaced by presence or absence of detection in eachevaluation region shown in FIG. 9( b). For example, when any of 12blocks of small regions corresponding to the “evaluation region 1” isjudged as a moving object region, this is expressed as “an object isdetected in the evaluation region 1.”

In the setting of evaluation regions as shown in FIG. 9( b), the vehiclesurroundings are divided into the front side and the rear side of theown vehicle and are divided into a vicinity section and a distantsection thereof. This is based on that an appropriate compositiondepends on whether a moving object is present on the front side or therear side, that it is preferable to change the composition to acomposition that reflects a wide range when a moving object is presentat a distance, and the like. Of course, the setting of evaluationregions is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9( b) and the number ofevaluation regions is not limited to four. For example, each smallregion may be used directly as an evaluation region.

Operation Example

First, suppose that the other vehicle 2 is present in a place out of theshooting ranges of the cameras yet in the state shown in FIG. 2( a). Inthe initial state after the operation starts, the parameter selectionsection 109 selects “A” as an image synthesis parameter and “stop” as adetection parameter. At that time, the image synthesis section 104outputs a synthetic image in the composition A (FIG. 4( a)) and themoving object detection section 105 does not execute the moving objectdetection.

Next, since the own vehicle 1 is in “stop” state and the shift lever isin “P” state while the moving object detection is not performed yet, theparameter selection section 109 remains selecting “A” as an imagesynthesis parameter and selects “operation” as a detection parameter inaccordance with the selection rule in FIG. 9( a). Herein, it is supposedthat the other vehicle 2 is moving and approaching. The moving objectdetection section 105 detects a small region corresponding to the othervehicle 2 as a moving object region to output a synthetic image fordisplay as shown in FIG. 10( a). In association therewith, informationon an evaluation region (the evaluation regions 1 and 2 herein) to whichthe detected moving object region belong is output as a detection resultinto the parameter selection section 109.

Subsequently, the parameter selection section 109 selects and outputs,upon receipt of the detection result from the moving object detectionsection 105, “B” is newly selected as an image synthesis parameteraccording to information that the moving object is detected in theevaluation region 1 and information that the own vehicle is in “stop”state and the shift lever is in “P” state. The detection parameterremains as “operation.” The image synthesis section 104 outputs asynthetic image in the composition B (FIG. 4( b)) according to the imagesynthesis parameter B, and the moving object detection section 105performs moving object detection to the synthetic image in thecomposition B. Then, a small region corresponding to the other vehicle 2is detected as a moving object region and the synthetic image fordisplay as shown in FIG. 10( b) is output. In association therewith, theevaluation region 1 is output as a detection result into the parameterselection section 109.

Herein, suppose that a driver operates the shift lever to change thestate from “P” state to “R” (reverse) state. At that time, the parameterselection section 109 newly selects and outputs “D” as an imagesynthesis parameter according to information that the moving object isdetected in the evaluation region 1 and information that the own vehicleis in “stop” state and the shift lever is in “R” state. The detectionparameter remains as “operation.” The image synthesis section 104outputs a synthetic image in the composition D (FIG. 4( d)) according tothe image synthesis parameter D, and the moving object detection section105 performs the moving object detection to the synthetic image in thecomposition D. As a result, a synthetic image for display as shown inFIG. 10( c) is output.

This processing for selecting a next image synthesis parameter takingaccount of a detection result of the moving object detection and thecurrent image synthesis parameter means selection of a next imagesynthesis parameter taking account of the position of a moving objectregion on a synthetic image in the surroundings of the own vehicle 1. Inother words, a next image synthesis parameter can be selected accordingto the position of a moving object detected in the surroundings of theown vehicle 1, enabling presentation of a synthetic image for displayappropriate to both a vehicle state and a state of a moving object inthe surroundings.

For example, when the other vehicle 2 as a moving object is present onthe rear side of the own vehicle 1, it can be said that a syntheticimage for display in the composition B as in FIG. 10( b) is appropriatefor recognition of the other vehicle 2, compared with a synthetic imagefor display in the composition A as in FIG. 10( a). Also, under theconditions that there is possibility that the shift lever will bechanged to “R” state, namely, possibility that a driver will move theown vehicle 1 backward and a moving object is present on the rear sideof the own vehicle 1, a synthetic image for display in the composition Das in FIG. 10( c) is appropriate for recognition of the other vehicle 2present on the rear side of the own vehicle 1, compared with a syntheticimage for display in the composition B as in FIG. 10( b). Accordingly,more effective synthetic images for safe driving can be provided in thepresent embodiment, compared with Embodiment 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the parameters are selectedaccording to combination of a vehicle state, a result of the movingobject detection, and the current image synthesis parameter, enablingfurther appropriate synthetic image display and moving object detectionaccording to the state of vehicle surroundings. While, in the movingobject detection in the moving object detection section 105 and displayof a detection result involve no additional calculation load requiredfor coordinate conversion, parameter change, or the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, because a result of themoving object detection and the current image synthesis parameter areadded as reference for parameter selection, an effect that a syntheticimage for display further appropriate to the vehicle state and the stateof a moving object in the vehicle surroundings can be presented, inaddition to attainment of the same effects as in Embodiment 1.

It is noted that the parameter selection is executed in accordance withthe rule as in FIG. 9( a) in the present embodiment but the rule forparameter selection is not limited to that indicated herein and anyselection rule may be employed.

Embodiment 3

A vehicle surrounding monitoring system according to Embodiment 3 of thepresent invention is constituted as shown in FIG. 1 like Embodiment 1.Difference from Embodiment 1 lies in that while the weight of eachelement in the image synthesis parameters is equal to each other inEmbodiment 1, accuracy of moving object detection to a synthetic imageis controlled by setting values of weights in at least one of the pluralimage synthesis parameters in Embodiment 3. The operations of the otherconstitutional elements are the same as those in Embodiment 1 or 2.

An Example of the image synthesis parameter in the present embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 11. The synthetic image of FIG.11( a) is in the same composition as the composition A in FIG. 4( a). Indetail, the image synthesis parameter used in the image synthesis hereinis the same as the image synthesis parameter A in the camera number andthe coordinate values of the camera images. Wherein, as shown in FIG.11( b), values of the weights are not equal, namely, values differentaccording to regions of the synthetic image are set as weights, which isthe difference from the image synthesis parameter A. In the exampleshown in FIG. 11( b), 1.0 is set for each weight in the central part ofthe synthetic image while 0.7 is set for each weight in the surroundingpart thereof.

When the parameter selection section 109 selects the image synthesisparameter shown in FIG. 11( b), the image synthesis section 104generates a synthetic image as shown in FIG. 11( c). In FIG. 11( c), thecomposition is the same as in FIG. 11( a), wherein the intensity at thecentral part, in which the weight is 1.0, remains unchanged while theintensity of the surrounding part, in which the weight is 0.7, is darkrelatively.

When the moving object detection section 105 performs the moving objectdetection to the synthetic image as shown in FIG. 11( c) with referenceto the time variation in intensity as evaluation reference, thesurrounding part of which intensity is low has relatively small timevariation in intensity, resulting in poor sensibility for moving objectdetection compared with the central part. In other words, change invalues of the weights in an image synthesis parameter can change thedetection sensibility for moving object detection in each region of asynthetic image. For example, wide range indication as in FIG. 11( a) isappropriate for a synthetic image. While in the case where the movingobject detection suffices only in the surroundings of the own vehicle 1at the central part, the image synthesis parameter as in FIG. 11( b) isselected and no change for the moving object detection itself is needed.Namely, in the image synthesis parameter in FIG. 11( b), the weightsattached to the pixels value are set so as to be relatively large in aregion for which the necessity of performing the moving object detectionis relatively high.

Further, another example of the image synthesis parameter in the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The syntheticimage of FIG. 12( a) is in a composition E in which the rear side of avehicle is looked down obliquely in the state shown in FIG. 2( a). Inthe composition where a road is looked down obliquely, a seen subjectmay differ in size according to a position thereof on a synthetic imageeven if the subject is identical. In the synthetic image of FIG. 12( a),a seen subject (for example, the other vehicle 2) may differ in sizeaccording to a position relative to the own vehicle 1 even if thesubject is identical. The other vehicle 2 is seen larger as it is nearerthe own vehicle 1 while being seen smaller as it is farther from the ownvehicle 1.

In the case where the moving object detection is performed to the abovesynthetic image with reference to the time variation in intensity asevaluation reference, detection sensibility differs according to theposition where a moving object is seen in the synthetic image even ifthe moving object is identical. In detail, the detection sensibilityincreases as the moving object is at a position where it is seen largewhile decreasing as the moving object is at a position where it is seensmall. Thus, the detection sensibility in the moving object detection isnot uniform.

Under the circumstances, if it is desired to eliminate the difference indetection sensibility which is caused due to difference in position on asynthetic image and to attain further uniform detection sensibility,values of the weights in an image synthesis parameter is changedaccording to the difference in size of a subject seen in a syntheticimage. In detail, the weights attached to the pixel values are setrelatively small in a region of a synthetic image where a subject of thesame size is seen relatively large.

FIG. 12( b) shows an example of the weight setting as above. In FIG. 12(b), the weights are set larger in a region where a subject is seensmaller in FIG. 12( a), that is, an upper region while being set smallerin a region where the subject is seen larger, that is, a lower region.The weight setting in this way minimizes the difference in detectionsensibility for the moving object detection which is due to differencein position in a synthetic image, thereby attaining further uniformdetection sensibility.

Referring to another method for attaining uniform detection sensibility,the weight attached to each pixel value of an image synthesis parametermay be set so that the time variation in statistic of pixel values whenan identical subject moves becomes constant in synthetic imagesregardless of the position of the subject seen therein.

Specifically, first, in a synthetic image obtained by image synthesisaccording to an image synthesis parameter in which all weights are “1,”time variation in statistic (for example, time variation in average ofpixel values) in the case where an identical subject moves is calculatedin each small region. Then, a value in proportion to the reciprocal ofthe calculated value is set newly as a value of the weight for thecorresponding small region. This weight setting minimizes variousdifferences such as difference in appearance of the subject, differencein intensity among input images, difference in intensity in an inputimage which is caused due to limb darkening, and the like in addition tothe difference in size of the subject in a synthetic image, therebyattaining further uniform detection sensibility.

As described above, according to the present invention, the weightsetting in an image synthesis parameter leads to accuracy control in themoving object detection. This enables adjustment of detectionsensibility for moving object detection in each region of a syntheticimage without increasing processing loads in the image synthesissection, the moving object detection section, and the like.

Embodiment 4

In Embodiment 4 of the present invention, when a moving object region isdetected, an image synthesis parameter in a part corresponding to themoving object region is modified so as to reference only one of fieldsof camera images. This further improves image quality of an image in themoving object region.

A vehicle surrounding monitoring system according to the presentembodiment is constituted as in FIG. 1 like Embodiment 1. Wherein, thecameras 101 perform interlace shooting and the frame memories 103 storeinterlace images. Further, the parameter selection section 109 inputs avehicle state output from the vehicle state detection section 108 and adetection result output from the moving object detection section 105 andselects an image synthesis parameter and a detection parameter inaccordance with a predetermined selection rule. The operations of theother constitutional elements are the same as those in theaforementioned embodiments.

In the present embodiment, the parameter selection section 109 outputs aselected image synthesis parameter of which coordinate values of cameraimages is partially modified when a moving object region is detected bythe moving object detection section 105. Specifically, the parameterselection section 109 reads out camera image coordinate values of eachelement which corresponds to the position of the detected moving objectregion from the selected image synthesis parameter and outputs themafter modifying them so that all Y coordinate values (coordinate valuesin the perpendicular direction) thereof become the nearest odd numbers.The image synthesis section 104 generates a synthetic image according tothe thus modified image synthesis parameter.

As a result, in the image synthesis, only the camera images in odd-linefields are used in the moving object region while the camera images inboth fields are used in a region where no moving object is detected.Hence, in the moving object region, a synthetic image is generated usingonly the odd-line fields of the camera images, inviting no lowering inimage quality which is due to combing. On the other hand, the imagesynthesis is performed using both fields of the camera images in theregion where no moving object is detected, increasing resolutioncompared with a case using only one of fields.

Effects obtainable in the present embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13( a) shows an example of an input image ofone frame shot by a camera 1 that performs interlace shooting in thestate shown in FIG. 2( a). The drawing on the right hand in FIG. 13( a)is an enlarged view of the edge of the other vehicle 2 that is moving.In the interlace shooting, shooting is performed at different timingsfrom each other in fields. Accordingly, the moving object in an imageaccompanies combing as shown in the drawing on the right hand in FIG.13( a) when it is observed as a one-frame (two-field) image.

FIG. 13( b) shows an example of a synthetic image in the aforementionedcomposition E which is generated directly using the frame image of FIG.13( a). The drawing on the right hand in FIG. 13( b) is an enlarged viewof the edge of the other vehicle 2, wherein the combing in the frameimage is deformed. This image invites lowering in image qualityincluding flickering, roughness, and the like especially when it isobserved as a moving image.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the image synthesis parameter ina part corresponding to the moving object region is modified so thatonly one filed is used. FIG. 13( c) shows an example of a syntheticimage generated according to the thus modified image synthesisparameter, and shows that an excellent image can be obtained withoutcausing lowering in image quality which is due to combing shown in FIG.13( b).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the selected imagesynthesis parameter is modified, upon detection of a moving objectregion, so that only one of the fields of the camera images is used in apart corresponding to the moving object region. This suppresses loweringin image quality which is due to combing in a synthetic image.

It is noted that in the present embodiment, the image synthesisparameter is modified so that all Y coordinate values of the cameraimages become odd numbers but it may be modified so that Y coordinatevalues thereof become even numbers, of course. In this case, imagesynthesis using the even-line fields of the camera images is performedin the moving object region.

Further, in the present embodiment, after a moving object region isdetected, an image synthesis parameter is modified for a partcorresponding to the moving object region and a synthetic image isgenerated according to the thus modified image synthesis parameter. Forthis reason, if a velocity of the moving object would be high, forexample, a synthetic image with lowered image quality as in FIG. 13( b)may be output before the image synthesis parameter is modified upondetection of the moving object region.

This problem can be solved by modifying the image synthesis parameterfor not only the moving object region but also the surrounding regionthereof. FIG. 14( a) shows an example of such processing. In FIG. 14(a), the image synthesis parameter is modified so that the imagesynthesis is performed for a region AR including the moving objectregion and the surrounding region thereof using only one of the fieldsof the camera images. This enables indication of a synthetic image withno image quality lowered even if the other vehicle 2 would further movein the synthetic image to be in the state shown in FIG. 14( b). Themoving object region and a range of approximately one block of eachsmall region surrounding the moving object region may be set as theregion AR, for example.

It is noted that in each embodiment of the present invention, fourcameras are installed and the camera positions and the shooting rangesare set as shown in FIG. 2, but the number of cameras, the camerapositions, and the shooting ranges are not limited thereto.

It is noted also that in each embodiment of the present invention, theplurality of cameras and the surrounding monitoring system are installedto a vehicle, especially, to a four-wheel automobile but the type of thevehicles is not limited. Further, the present invention is applicable tomoving bodies other than vehicles, such as robots.

Further, the present invention can be applied for purposes other thanmonitoring of surroundings of a moving body. Image synthesis and movingobject detection may be performed using cameras fixed in a shop, forexample. Moreover, the image synthesis parameter is selected accordingto the vehicle state in each embodiment of the present invention but maybe fixed or may be changed automatically as time progresses, forexample.

In each embodiment of the present invention, time variation in averageof intensities is used for the moving object detection but theevaluation index for the moving object detection is not limited to theaverage of intensities and may be any value only if it expresses astatistic of pixel values. For example, dispersion of a specified colorcomponent out of RGB may be used. Further, the number of blocks of thesmall regions is not limited to 48 blocks.

In each embodiment of the present invention, the moving object detectionmay not be performed for a predetermined period of time after selectionof the image synthesis parameter is changed. For example, the parameterselection section 109 selects, upon selection change in image synthesisparameter, a detection parameter that defines stop of moving objectdetection for a predetermined period of time. This inhibits movingobject detection immediately after the change in composition of asynthetic image or the like, obviating erroneous operation in movingobject detection which is due to change in synthetic image.

In each embodiment of the present invention, the image synthesisparameter may not be changed for a predetermined period of time afterselection of the image synthesis parameter is changed. For example, theparameter selection section 109 halts, upon selection change in imagesynthesis parameter, change in image synthesis parameter for apredetermined period of time. This inhibits frequent exchange of theimage synthesis parameters, obviating lowering in viewability of adisplayed image which is causes at frequent exchange.

In each embodiment of the present invention, the detection parametersinclude only two kinds of information, “operation” and “stop” but thepresent invention is not limited thereto. In general, various parametersare required for the moving object detection, and therefore, a pluralityof detection parameters including them may be stored correspondingly tothe compositions of the synthetic images. Further, a threshold value setfor each small region may be stored as a detection parameter, forexample.

In each embodiment of the present invention, each constitutional elementmay be realized by individual hardware or may be combined in a single ICor the like. In addition, each constitutional element may be realizedthrough software to be executed by a computer (CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM203, and the like) having an image input/output function, as shown inFIG. 15.

In the present invention, both generation of a synthetic image accordingto a shooting state and moving object detection in an image can beperformed, and therefore, the present invention is useful for, forexample, on-board surrounding monitoring systems, monitoring systems forsecurity, and the like. Especially, the present invention is useful formonitoring systems that provide a region where a moving object ispresent in the form of an image generated from images shot by aplurality of cameras. Further, the present invention can be applied forthe purpose of detecting a moving object from images shot by a pluralityof cameras.

1. A monitoring system to which camera images shot by a plurality ofcameras installed to a moving body are input, comprising: a parameterstorage section for storing a plurality of image synthesis parameterseach expressing correspondence between camera images and a syntheticimage and a plurality of detection parameters each definingspecification of moving object detection; a parameter selection sectionfor selecting each one from the plurality of image synthesis parametersand the plurality of detection parameters which are stored in theparameter storage section; an image synthesis section for generating asynthetic image showing a state of a monitoring region by synthesizingthe camera images according to the image synthesis parameter selected bythe parameter selection section and for producing a synthetic imageoutput based on the camera images shot by the plurality of cameras; anda moving object detection section that receives said synthetic imageoutput by the image synthesis section and detects a moving objectproximate to the moving body based on the synthetic image and thedetection parameter selected by the parameter selection section whereinthe moving object is detected in the synthetic image, wherein theparameter selection section performs parameter selection according to astate of the moving body and taking account of a detection result by themoving object detection section, and the parameter selection sectionperforms parameter selection taking account of a currently selectedimage synthesis parameter.
 2. A monitoring system to which camera imagesshot by a plurality of cameras installed to a moving body are input,comprising: a parameter storage section for storing a plurality of imagesynthesis parameters each expressing correspondence between cameraimages and a synthetic image and a plurality of detection parameterseach defining specification of moving object detection; a parameterselection section for selecting each one from the plurality of imagesynthesis parameters and the plurality of detection parameters which arestored in the parameter storage section; an image synthesis section forgenerating a synthetic image showing a state of a monitoring region bysynthesizing the camera images according to the image synthesisparameter selected by the parameter selection section and for producinga synthetic image output based on the camera images shot by theplurality of cameras; and a moving object detection section thatreceives said synthetic image output by the image synthesis section anddetects a moving object proximate to the moving body based on thesynthetic image and the detection parameter selected by the parameterselection section, wherein the moving object is detected in thesynthetic image, wherein the parameter selection section performsparameter selection according to a state of the moving body and takingaccount of a detection result by the moving object detection section,and when the moving object region is detected by the moving objectdetection section, the parameter selection section modifies the selectedimage synthesis parameter so that only one of fields of camera imagesare referenced for a part corresponding to the moving object region andoutputs it.